The Positive Gene Podcast
by Sara Kavanaugh
Welcome to The Positive Gene Podcast, where we help to light the path for those navigating hereditary cancer risks with empowerment and optimism. Hosted by Sara Kavanaugh, a cancer previvor and your guide through the world of genetics and proactive well-being from the patient perspective. Join us as we simplify the complexities, providing insights that empower you to confidently face challenges. Through engaging discussions, we’ll bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and everyday life of a cancer previvor or survivor. Tune in to discover the transformative potential of genetic awareness and join a community that embraces positivity through knowledge. Subscribe now for a dose of empowerment in every episode.
Episodes
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Why I Started NothingPink: Kelly Kashmer on Hereditary Breast Cancer Support That Feels Personal
The Positive Gene Podcast | Hereditary Breast Cancer Series Sometimes you can look at someone who’s been there and know they understand. You can start with how you feel today without having to explain everything that came before. At 31, Kelly Kashmer learned she carried a BRCA2 mutation. Just…
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Living With BRCA2: Preventive Surgery and Life Beyond Cancer Risk with Raychel Kubby Adler
The Positive Gene Podcast | Hereditary Breast Cancer Series What does life look like after learning you carry a hereditary cancer mutation? And how do you make decisions about your health when you've already witnessed the impact of cancer on the people you love? In this episode of The Positive…
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Breast Cancer Surveillance: Knowing Your Risk and Your Options with Dr. Rachel Brem
The Positive Gene Podcast | Hereditary Breast Cancer Series, Episode 2 Knowing you have an increased breast cancer risk brings important decisions. If you choose continued surveillance, what does “watching closely” actually look like? In the second episode of our 10-part hereditary breast cancer...
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Understanding Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk with Genetic Counselor, Dena Goldberg
The Positive Gene Podcast | Hereditary Breast Cancer Series, Episode 1 When we hear about hereditary breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are often the first genes that come to mind. But hereditary breast cancer risk is much more complex, and understanding your genetic information can make a…
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Your Voice Matters: How Patient Advocates Shape Healthcare Policy with TN Representative Bob Freeman
Your Voice Matters: How Patient Advocates Shape Healthcare Policy As patient advocates, we have the opportunity to help shape healthcare policy by sharing our lived experiences with the people making decisions that affect our lives. In this episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara…
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Walking the Genetic Line: Emotional Truths of Hereditary Cancer Risk with Sara Champie
Episode Summary In this episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, Sara Kavanaugh sits down with therapist, BRCA1 previvor, and podcast host Sara Champie for a deeply honest conversation about the emotional realities of hereditary cancer risk. Together, they explore the layers of fear, grief, agency,...
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The Story That Changed Everything: Diane Hardesty on Lynch Syndrome, Family History, and Prevention
As we close out Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, this episode marks the final installment in our series on Lynch syndrome and hereditary cancer risk. If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to go back and listen to the earlier episodes—each one offers a powerful and important perspective on what it...
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For Jacqueline: Joan Rush on Love, Loss, and Changing the Future of Lynch Syndrome
Lynch Syndrome Series This episode is part of a five-part series on living with Lynch syndrome, focused on raising awareness and sharing perspectives from patients, advocates, and organizations working to improve outcomes in hereditary cancer. Episode Overview In this episode, Sara Kavanaugh…
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Why Family History Matters: Jennifer Mercer on Lynch Syndrome, Awareness, and Family Communication
Lynch Syndrome Series - This episode is part of a five-part series on living with Lynch syndrome, released in recognition of Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day on March 22. Episode Overview In this episode, Sara Kavanaugh speaks with Jennifer Mercer, founder of Lynch Syndrome Awareness and Education, a...
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Unbreakable Spirit: Living with Lynch Syndrome, Cancer, and Finding Purpose with JJ Singleton
Lynch Syndrome Series In recognition of Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day on March 22 each year, The Positive Gene Podcast is featuring a five-part series exploring what it means to live with Lynch syndrome; from diagnosis and treatment to advocacy, prevention, and long-term survivorship. Note: This...
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Alive and Kick’n: David Dubin on Lynch Syndrome, Advocacy, and Moving Forward
This episode kicks off a five-part series on living with Lynch syndrome, released in recognition of Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day on March 22. When host Sara Kavanaugh was first diagnosed with hereditary cancer mutations, including Lynch syndrome, there were few voices sharing what life with...
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Cancer Vaccines, BRCA1, and the Power of Storytelling: A Conversation with Aliza Friedlander
Episode Summary In this episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, Sara sits down with Aliza Friedlander, a BRCA1-positive previvor and advocate with the Cancer Vaccine Coalition. Aliza shares her unusual path to genetic testing, what shifted after her sister’s breast cancer diagnosis, and how she...
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Your Genes Shouldn’t Be Patented: The Urgent Fight Over PERA with FORCE Public Policy Leader, Lisa Schlager
Episode Summary This special, urgent episode of The Positive Gene Podcast steps outside our normal publishing schedule because the stakes could not be higher. Congress is considering the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA) — a bill that would once again allow companies to patent human genes...
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What We're Not Saying: Hereditary Cancer, Prevention and Public Health with Genetic Counselor, Jennifer Thompson
Episode Summary In today’s conversation, we dig into the part of cancer conversations that rarely makes headlines - hereditary cancer risk, prevention, and the systemic barriers that keep people from getting the care they need. My guest, Jennifer Thompson, MS, CGC is a board-certified genetic...
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Hereditary Cancer Risk Through an LGBTQ+ Lens with Genetic Counselor Maddie Williamson
Episode Summary In this episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, Maddie Williamson, a genetic counselor and BRCA1 carrier, joins host Sara Kavanaugh to discuss what it means to navigate hereditary cancer risk as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Drawing from both personal experience and professional...
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Living Proof with Author Tiffany Graham Charkosky: Love, Loss, and Lynch Syndrome
In this moving episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara Kavanaugh sits down with author Tiffany Graham Charkosky, whose forthcoming memoir Living Proof: How Love Defied Genetic Legacy shares her deeply personal journey through Lynch Syndrome, family loss, and the power of love and...
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Living Through Loss, Finding Strength: Peter Cornell on Music, Family, and Male Breast Cancer
Earlier this year, musician Peter Cornell — brother of the late Chris Cornell — received a diagnosis no man expects: breast cancer. Testing revealed he carries a CHEK2 mutation, which increases the risk for breast, prostate, and other cancers. In this raw and powerful conversation, Peter shares…
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Graceful Grit: Mindfulness Tools for Scanxiety, Uncertainty, and Everyday Courage with Lisa Jacobs, Founder of Practice to the Point
Episode Overview Season changes can stir up a lot - especially if you’re living with hereditary cancer risk. In this conversation, Lisa Jacobs shares her framework of “graceful grit” - meeting hard moments with both courage and softness. We talk scanxiety, decision fatigue, and how simple,...
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Telling Our Stories Online: Researching ‘Previvorship’ in the Social Media Era
Summary In this episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara Kavanaugh takes the mic on the road in London with Dr. Stefania Vicari and Dr. Hannah Ditchfield of the University of Sheffield. Together, they explore how research into social media is reshaping what we know about hereditary cancer,...
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Running Through Risk: Kristina Coccoluto on BRCA, Purpose and Marathon Milestones
Episode Summary: In this Season 3 premiere of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara Kavanaugh sits down with Kristina Coccoluto — a BRCA1 previvor, Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher, and passionate advocate — to explore what it means to face genetic risk and still run forward with...
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Prevention Through Connection: How Dr. Brian Shirts and ConnectMyVariant Help Families Reduce Hereditary Cancer Risk
In this insightful episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara Kavanaugh sits down with Dr. Brian Shirts, Associate Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at Vanderbilt University and founder of ConnectMyVariant.org. Together, they explore the powerful potential of family-based...
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Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Genetic Risk, and Breaking Barriers to Screening with Dr. Frederick Gandolfo
Colorectal Cancer Awareness, Genetic Risk, and Breaking Barriers to Screening with Dr. Frederick Gandolfo, Board-Certified Gastroenterologist & Host of The Real GI Doctor Show Episode Overview: In this episode, we’re tackling a tough but critical topic—March's Colorectal Cancer Awareness, genetic...
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Protect Your Peace: A Meditation for Strength and Resilience in Advocacy and Action
Let’s take a moment to protect your peace. I know it is difficult to continue showing up with resilience and purpose when facing uncertainty. Advocacy and action require strength, but strength comes from within. Yet we are facing relentless attacks on healthcare, research, and fundamental rights....
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Empowering the Hereditary Cancer Community: ICARE at Vanderbilt with Dr. Tuya Pal
In this special in-person episode, Host Sara Kavanaugh visits the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee, to speak with Dr. Tuya Pal, Principal Investigator of the ICARE Initiative. ICARE is a groundbreaking registry dedicated to improving access to hereditary cancer expertise,...
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Communicating Genetic Risk with Confidence Across Family, Healthcare, and Relationships with Marleah Dean Kruzel, Ph.D.
In this episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara Kavanaugh sits down with Dr. Marleah Dean-Kruzel, a health communication expert, TEDx speaker, and BRCA2 previvor. Dr. Dean-Kruzel is not only a renowned professor of health communication but also a powerful advocate featured in the CDC's...
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From Risk to Resilience: Integrative Genetic Counseling and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness with Genetic Counselor, Natalie Samson
Description: In this insightful episode, Host Sara Kavanaugh sits down with Natalie Samson, Certified Genetic Counselor and founder of Golden Genetics, to discuss the power of integrative genetic counseling. Natalie shares her insights on combining traditional genetic testing with holistic health...
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My Faulty Gene: Empowering Lives Through Genetic Testing with Kathy Baker
In Season 2, Episode 8 of The Positive Gene Podcast, Sara Kavanaugh welcomes Kathy Baker, founder of My Faulty Gene, for a powerful conversation about surviving hereditary cancer and the impact of genetic testing. Kathy shares her journey of facing cancer multiple times, the life-changing…
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Election 2024: Sara’s Personal Stories on Healthcare and the Power of Your Vote
In this timely special episode, I set aside the usual format to talk sincerely about what’s at stake in Election 2024 for healthcare, women’s rights, and environmental protections. Drawing from my own experiences with miscarriages, hereditary cancer risks, and an environmental contamination, I...
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Genes, Advocacy, and Action: Krista Brown’s Journey as a Nurse, Coach, and Cancer Survivor
In this episode, Sara holds a deeply engaging conversation with Krista Brown, a registered nurse, cancer prevention coach, and breast cancer survivor with an ATM genetic mutation. Krista’s journey goes beyond her medical expertise; it’s a mission driven by her personal story, relentless research,...
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Faith Over Fear: David Curtis on Overcoming Cancer’s Challenges Through Music and Spiritual Strength
In this powerful and uplifting episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, Sara sits down with worship pastor and musician David Curtis to explore how faith can be a source of strength in the face of life’s toughest challenges. David candidly shares his journey through his cancer diagnoses in 2017 and...
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Thriving with Nutrition: The Role of Diet in Hereditary Cancer Risk with Oncology Dietician, Alison Tierney
In the latest episode of "The Positive Gene Podcast" titled "Thriving with Nutrition: The Role of Diet in Hereditary Cancer Risk with Oncology Dietician, Alison Tierney," we take a crash course on the crucial impact of diet and lifestyle on managing hereditary cancer risk. Alison Tierney, a...
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Yoga’s Healing Touch: Marina Mukandala on Overcoming Anxiety and Strengthening Spirit
Join us for a heartfelt episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, where Marina Mukandala, an inspiring yoga teacher and CEO of L.I.F.E. with Marina, shares her transformative journey from anxiety to empowerment through yoga. In this episode, Marina opens up about how yoga not only helped her…
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Navigating the Complexities of Hereditary Cancer Genetics with Genetic Counselor, Morgan Wolfgang
In this season's second episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara Kavanaugh navigates the complex world of genetics with special guest Morgan Wolfgang, a genetic counselor with a passion for hereditary cancer prevention. With expertise from Vanderbilt School of Medicine and a commitment to...
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Lynch Syndrome Awareness: Advocacy and Empowerment with FORCE Board of Directors President, Wenora Johnson
In this exciting kickoff to Season 2 of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara Kavanaugh shares an enriching conversation with Wenora Johnson, the President of the FORCE* Board of Directors. As a three-time cancer survivor and Lynch Syndrome advocate, Wenora shares her remarkable journey through...
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BONUS Episode: Guided Reflections/Meditation - Soothing the Mind Amidst Health Challenges
Episode Summary Welcome to a special bonus episode of "The Positive Gene Podcast," titled "Guided Reflections/Meditation: Soothing the Mind Amidst Health Challenges." In this unique session, your host, Sara Kavanaugh, steps away from the usual format to bring you a soothing guided meditation...
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From Panic to Peace: Navigating Your Genetic Diagnosis Journey
Are you grappling with feelings of fear and uncertainty after receiving a hereditary cancer genetic test result? You're not alone. 'The Positive Gene Podcast' and host, Sara Kavanaugh, presents 'From Panic to Peace: Navigating Your Genetic Diagnosis Journey,' a deeply empathetic episode that...
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Circle of Support: Empowering Caregivers on the Previvor and Survivor Journey
In this special episode of The Positive Gene Podcast titled "Circle of Support: Empowering Caregivers on the Previvor and Survivor Journey," host Sara Kavanaugh honors National Caregivers Month and Thanksgiving by focusing on the gratitude for caregivers' essential roles for individuals with...
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A Candid Guide to Genetic Testing Choices: Four Key Considerations
In this enlightening episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara Kavanaugh takes you through 'A Candid Guide to Genetic Testing Choices: Four Key Considerations.' With her unique perspective as a hereditary cancer previvor and advocate, Sara provides listeners with an unbiased and detailed...
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Rewriting Our Genetic Narratives
Join Sara Kavanaugh on The Positive Gene Podcast as she shares a poignant narrative of her family's encounters with cancer and how these experiences have shaped her approach to health and living. In this episode, Sara transforms the narrative of hereditary inevitability into one of empowerment…
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Five Ways to Support Loved Ones Through Hereditary Cancer Choices
The Positive Gene Podcast Episode: “Five Ways to Support Loved Ones Through Hereditary Cancer Choices” Explore the intricacies of hereditary cancer mutations and the daunting decisions they can pose with host Sara Kavanaugh. Tune in to learn how to navigate these tough conversations, be it as the...
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Reclaiming Control: Defining Empowerment in the Wake of Hereditary Cancer Risk
In this episode, join Sara as we explore empowerment for those living with hereditary cancer risks. Discovering a hereditary cancer mutation can be a profound moment, raising questions, fears, and even opportunities. As we delve deep, we unravel the different facets of empowerment, from awareness...
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The Journey that Sparked ’The Positive Gene Podcast’
In this revealing episode of The Positive Gene Podcast, host Sara Kavanaugh offers an intimate look into her personal journey with hereditary cancer syndromes. Drawing from her own experiences—from her initial diagnosis and emotional challenges to the strength she found in faith and…
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Confronting Five Hidden Hurdles After a Genetic Diagnosis
SHOW NOTES In today's episode, we journey through the less-trodden paths of a genetic diagnosis. With a blend of personal stories and expert insights, we touch upon the emotional, financial, and social facets that come along with it. Whether it's understanding insurance intricacies or navigating...
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Lessons Learned While Navigating Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Genes
The Positive Gene Podcast Episode #2: Lessons Learned While Navigating Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer Genes Show Notes Introduction: Introduction to genetic testing for hereditary cancer genes. An overview of the R.E.A.D.Y. Framework. Disclaimer: Insights are personal, not medical advice....
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The Positive Gene Podcast - Trailer
Welcome! Join Sara Kavanaugh on The Positive Gene Podcast as we navigate hereditary cancer risks with clarity and optimism from the patient perspective. We know navigating the landscape of hereditary cancer risks can feel overwhelming. But worry not! Through engaging discussions and captivating...
About this show
Welcome to The Positive Gene Podcast, where we help to light the path for those navigating hereditary cancer risks with empowerment and optimism. Hosted by Sara Kavanaugh, a cancer previvor and your guide through the world of genetics and proactive well-being from the patient perspective. Join us as we simplify the complexities, providing insights that empower you to confidently face challenges. Through engaging discussions, we’ll bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and everyday life of a cancer previvor or survivor. Tune in to discover the transformative potential of genetic awareness and join a community that embraces positivity through knowledge. Subscribe now for a dose of empowerment in every episode.
Hosted by
Sara Kavanaugh
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